The IceHogs fell 4-3 at the Rockford MetroCentre on the second of two Kids' Days this season on Monday. (Photo by Greg Hamil)

02/16/2009 10:12 AM

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Rockford falls in final home game against San Antonio in 2008-09

Rockford, Ill.- Down 3-0 in the first intermission, the Rockford IceHogs battled back to make it a tight game. But the Hogs couldn't pull through, falling 4-3 to the San Antonio Rampage on Monday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

"We scored three but had the chances to score six," said centerman Tim Brent. "The puck just didn't come out and bounce on our stick. A lot of time that's just going to happen."

Two Kyle Turris shots resulted in two San Antonio goals in the first period. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, Turris drove a laser of a shot past Corey Crawford at 4:49 with helpers from Dylan Reese and Kevin Porter for the first San Antonio goal.

Then he put another one over Crawford's shoulder at 14:37 on a power play in the first period. Joel Perrault and David Spina were also credited with assists.

Then Reese found the back of the net at 19:15 with helpers from Jeff Hoggan and Wyatt Smith to send the IceHogs to the locker room down 3-0.

"They got a couple of good bounces in the first period," Brent said. "I don't think we played bad in the first, but we were a little off the mark. The passes were a little off the tape and when that happens it's hard to create offense."

In the second period, Danny Groulx sent a low-flying drive past Josh Tordjman at 6:40 with assists from Brent and Petri Kontiola to bring the Hogs back within two.

"In the second and third period we beared down and made some good plays," Brent said. "We got the puck to the net and got bodies to the net. That's what it takes."

In the third, the Rampage took back the three-goal lead with a marker from Porter at 3:49. The centerman picked up a loose puck and put it past Crawford. Turris and Spina both had helpers.

But then Brent responded with a marker, redirecting a Pascal Pelletier shot at 5:27. Kontiola was also credited with an assist.

And Brent jumped right back at it, picking up a Jimmy Sharrow pass and solved Tordjman at 8:16 to bring the Hogs within one. Doug Janik also helped.

The Hogs captain has three goals and two assists in his last three games and is averaging a point per game since coming back from injury on Jan. 29 against Manitoba.

"It's tough to miss that much and come back," Brent said. "But At the same point you feel energized and rejuvenated. I was excited to be back and hopefully it shows in my game."

Crawford took the loss with 20 saves, while Tordjman finished with 27 saves. The Hogs were 0-for-4 on the power play, while San Antonio was 1-for-3 on the man advantage.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Lake Erie Monsters: The Rockford IceHogs welcome the Lake Erie Monsters into the Rockford MetroCentre for their only visit to the Forest City in 2008-09 at 7:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will get an IceHogs jersey bag courtesy of Rockford Orthopedic and 97 ZOK.